Glenview residents may begin to see small, helicopter-like objects hovering above some parts of The Glen from time to time.

Drones, or unmanned aerial systems, have been growing in popularity nationwide among real estate agents who use the devices to make aerial videos of the properties they market, and at least one local real estate professional recently joined the trend.

Glenview Realtor Margaret Ludemann said she started using videos shot by drones about a month ago to show off the surrounding amenities of some of the houses she advertises. She said her clients have been impressed by the bird's-eye view perspective the devices provide.

"I think it's going to be the next norm," she said of drone-made videos in real estate uses. "I see no harm in it. I see only a positive outcome."

Ludemann, who is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, said she is getting the videos through a contract with Elgin resident Dan Isaacson, owner of CAVU Investments. Isaacson's company started offering drone-made videos for real estate agents in the Chicagoland area a few months ago and he already has about two dozen clients throughout the suburbs and the city.

"This is going to explode," said Isaacson, whose company as locations set up in five other states.

Depending on property size, Isaacson said he charges between $35 and $1,500 per video made with his drone, which he said cost him about $2,000.

The Federal Aviation Administration allows drones for recreational and personal use, provided they don't fly higher than 400 feet and stay away from airports. But the devices are not approved for business use at the moment.

Agency officials said they expect to release some sort of regulations for commercial drones later this year.

But business owners, like Isaacson, are not waiting for official rules.

Isaacson said that he felt comfortable using the technology after a judge in March overruled a fine the FAA issued over a commercial drone flight.

But he said he still hopes the agency releases some regulations soon.

"These things are not toys," he said, adding that his drone's 9-inch blades spin at about 720 rotations per minute and could potentially cut someone's hand.

"They should be used by professionals," Isaacson said.

Because drones currently are not addressed by specific regulations, some groups and municipalities across the country have raised concerns over safety and privacy of individuals. Some municipalities, such as nearby Evanston, even decided to ban the use of drones. Officials there made that move last year.

In Glenview, the topic of drones has not come up before officials yet.

"It hasn't surfaced as an issue at this point," said Glenview Village Manager Todd Hileman.

He said he understands that potential privacy and safety issues are involved, and he believes it would be wise to let the FAA release its regulations first.

Glenview Trustee Philip White said it would be prudent to take a look at the use of drones sometime in the future.

"I suspect these things are going to be used more and more," White said.

As far as the privacy issue, Ludemann said she asks her clients for permission to film their property with a drone. So far, no one said no to the offer, she said.

"We are very careful," said Ludemann. "We absolutely understand the privacy issue. I wouldn't want a camera pointed at my house."

Isaacson said his normal practice is to let the neighbors and the target property's owners know about his filming. When he films in public places, like The Glen Town Center, he would get permission to film from managers of businesses that would be in the shot.

"It's a courtesy thing," he said, adding that a hovering drone likely would not go unnoticed because of the wind and sound it generates. "You can't really be operating these clandestinely."